Sheriff: Missing Teens Had Talked About Running Away

SHELLSBURG, Iowa - Authorities believe two missing Benton County girls went willingly with two boys Saturday, but are unsure whether the teenagers are still in agreement over what appears to be a runaway attempt.

Skie J. Floyd, 15, and Jazlyn J. Visek, 15, have not been seen since noon Saturday when they were spotted in Shellsburg, and they have not had contact with family members since 3 p.m. Saturday. According to the sheriff's office, they are believed to be with two runaways from the Atlantic area - Corey L. Sunderman, 16, and Austin M. Boggs, 13.

Benton County Sheriff Randy Forsyth said the teenagers are not believed to be in any danger, but concern about their whereabouts still exists, and they may be running out of money soon. He said investigators have learned that at least some of the teens made plans to leave well in advance. One of the boys had run away in the past, Forsyth said.

"We've had some information from other kids that this had been planned for several weeks," Forsyth said. "They didn't think they were going to go through with it."

Forsyth said Visek is Sunderman's girlfriend. He was not sure if there was a connection between Floyd and Boggs. Both girls are sophomores at Vinton-Shellsburg High School.

Dusty Hiepler-Floyd, Skie's mother, told KCRG her daughter is likely sticking by her friend's side. The girl did not take her purse with her, a family friend said.

"I know my daughter is scared right now," Hiepler-Floyd said. "I'm sure she wants to come home. I just want them to know they're not in trouble."

Authorities said the teens are possibly traveling in a gold 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with no license plates. Forsyth said a call was placed recently from the cell phone of one of the boys to a number in Pennsylvania, but authorities are not sure if it could be a possible destination.

"The concern is that we've got four missing kids between here and the boys from Atlantic," Forsyth said. "We have no idea where they're headed or where they might have been."

Floyd is white, around 5-foot-1 and 115 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt with white pinstripes, dark stone-washed jeans and boots.

Visek is white, around 5-foot-5 and 185 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. She was wearing a gray, zip-up hooded sweat shirt with the word "Arrow" on the front, blue skinny jeans and gray and green Nikes. She also has two lip piercings.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the teens or the vehicle is asked to call the Benton County Sheriff's Department at (319) 472-2337.